Genesis launches new-look G70 from $63,000

THE new Genesis G70 sports sedan is finally here on Aussie soil, ready and raring to take the premium mid-sized fight to the 3 Series and C-Class with the two-variant line-up starting from an even $63,000 plus on-road costs for the 2.0T.

The range won’t just consist of two variants for long with the G70 Shooting Brake due to arrive later in the year, however it remains to be seen exactly how many versions of the swooping wagon materialise Down Under.

In the meantime though, the sedan range will extend up to $76,000 for the 3.3T Sport before options (Luxury pack and/or metallic paint).

As previously reported by GoAuto, the Australia-bound G70s utilise the same petrol engine line-up as the Kia Stinger, those being a 179kW/353Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and a 274kW/520Nm twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6.

Both mills send their power exclusively to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic, just as the Stingers do.

When all is said and done, the 2.0T will launch from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.1 seconds and push on to a top speed of 240km/h while the V6 stops the clock in 4.7s and will eventually top out at 270km/h.

The G70s’ price and performance combinations put them in an unusual position within the market and against their competitors; the 2.0T easily out-muscles the BMW 320i (135kW/300Nm) but undercuts it on price by almost $8000.

Moving up the range, the 3.3T Sport near enough matches the 330i on price ($76,000 vs $77,900) but demolishes it in terms of firepower (274kW/520Nm vs 190kW/400Nm) – on paper at least, the V6 is more closely matched to the M340i xDrive Pure (285kW/500Nm).

In terms of standard equipment, Genesis has kept up its trend of specifying all the variants within a range closely to one another with the V6 only sporting a few extra premium touches and performance-minded features, most of which come courtesy of the Sport Line Package – apart from the adaptive suspension system and Sport+ drive mode.

Standard kit highlights fitted to both variants include 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber, panoramic sunroof, leather-appointed interior with aluminium trim, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, 8.0-inch supervision cluster, heated and ventilated 12-way power adjustable front seats, keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a nine-speaker audio system, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming wing mirrors, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and passenger walk-in switch.

2.0T customers wanting a sportier disposition for their vehicle without stepping up to the 3.3T can opt for the $4000 Sport Line Package (fitted as standard to the 3.3T) which adds a limited-slip rear differential, Brembo brakes, dark chrome grille surround and window trim, dark finish alloys, sports seats, suede headlining and pillars, sport aluminium pedals and interior trim.

Those wanting to add a more premium touch to either variant meanwhile can opt for the $10,000 Luxury Package which adds a heap more gear like a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, head-up display, 16-way adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, powered boot lid, Nappa leather-appointed interior, intelligent front lighting system and an acoustic laminated windscreen/front windows.

Almost as expansive as the equipment lists is the array of standard safety features with both variants boasting no less than 10 airbags, multi-collision brake, rear occupant alert, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning, driver attention warning, blind-spot view monitor, high beam assist, smart cruise control with stop and go, lane following assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist and a surround-view monitor.

As usual for a Hyundai Motor Group product landing in Australia, the G70 has been treated to a local suspension and chassis tune to make it as competent as possible on our less-than-perfect roads.

Genesis Motors Australia chief executive officer Jun Heo said the local division was “delighted” to be launching the new G70 as it “ushers in newly sporty, dynamic design, refined performance, advanced technology and uncompromising safety”.

The outgoing G70 has been a modest seller for Genesis so far this year with 29 units shifted to the end of April, accounting for a narrow 0.7 per cent share of the $60,000-plus medium car segment.

2021 Genesis G70 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs